The extreme cold and heavy snow that fell this winter forced railroads to use shorter trains because air brakes are less effective in the cold, employ more locomotives, add workers and keep some equipment running nonstop.

"We had what I would describe as a solid quarter given the weather across our service territory," CEO Wick Moorman said.

The results are similar to the 14 percent drop in profits CSX railroad reported last week. Edward Jones analyst Logan Purk said both of the eastern railroads — Norfolk Southern and CSX — were hit hard by the severe winter weather and weak demand for coal exports.

"The northeast got the brunt of the severe winter weather, and that's primarily where Norfolk Southern and CSX operate," Purk said.

Union Pacific fared better and delivered a 14 percent improvement in quarterly profit despite the weather, but its rail network crosses 23 Midwestern and Western states.

Norfolk Southern Corp. operates about 20,000 miles of track in 22 states and the District of Columbia.